Dagoretti had the highest downpour in Nairobi, says Met

Posted on May 14, 2015
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A flooded section of Mombasa road at Nyayo roundabout on May 11, 2015 following a heavy downpour in Nairobi. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI, @EvelyneMusambi

The rain that pounded the city on Monday and Tuesday resulting to floods was heaviest in Dagoretti Corner.

According to the Kenya Meterological Service, the area received three times what would normally be termed as very heavy rainfall.

A report from the department showed that Dagoretti received 116mm of rainfall on Tuesday, the highest recorded within the county during the long rains.

A forecast generated on Sunday had indicated that Nairobi would experience very heavy downpour above 50mm.

“The Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project product generated on Sunday, 10th May had indicated that Nairobi would be one of those areas likely to receive over 50mm on 11th and 12th May 2015.”

Deputy Director Forecasting Services Peter Ambenje told Nairobi News that the floods experienced in the city were due to the nature of most urban areas.

“For major towns like Nairobi, most rain water runs off because of the tarmac and that can result to flooding,” he said.

Dagoretti had a total of 189.1mm, followed by Kabete with 128.4mm then Wilson Airport at 128mm.

Other areas like Ngong had a measurement of 102.5mm while Moi Airbase had 85.5mm.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport received the lowest amount of rainfall over the two days of 33.5mm.

The department foresees a reduction in the amount of rain in the city over the next five days starting Wednesday, with a slight increase expected on Monday.

Rainfall to be received is expected to be less than 15mm in 24 hours for the first four days, with sunny intervals in the morning and light to moderate showers over few places in the afternoon to evening.